Microsoft deprecated Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office in late 2023, and Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Edge followed suit a month later. The business has now updated the official list of obsolete Windows features, including additional information concerning MDAG deprecation and related programs and browser extensions.
Although the functionality is called Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Edge, it also includes browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. The goal is to track untrustworthy websites and divert them from your current browser to a separate Microsoft Edge window, allowing you to browse with fewer security risks.
Because Application Guard is deprecated, there will be no migration to Edge Manifest V3. The relevant extensions and Windows Store app will be unavailable after May 2024. This applies to the following browsers:
Application Guard Extension – Chrome.
Application Guard Extension – Firefox.
If you want to prohibit unprotected browsers until you are ready to phase down MDAG in your organization, we recommend utilizing AppLocker policies or the Microsoft Edge management service. For further information, see Microsoft Edge with Microsoft Defender Application Guard.
It’s worth noting that the adjustment mostly affects enterprise clients rather than typical residential users. Companies who have already installed Microsoft Defender Application Guard can continue to use it, although Microsoft suggests that they examine alternate choices because MDAG “might be removed” from future Windows editions.
Regarding the Manifest V3 extensions stated in the update, Microsoft originally intended to phase out Manifest V2 in favor of V3 in January 2024. However, the company’s plans changed, and the official literature states that Microsoft is currently “in the process of updating our MV3 migration timelines.”
Other recently discontinued Windows technologies include the Windows Subsystem for Android, Windows Mixed Reality, TLS certificates with short RSA keys, password payloads in MPR notifications, and more.